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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.
DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET |
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Emily post writes: "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others." If you have that awareness you have good manners, no matter if the foot you step on is not your own.
Since we have known each other for many years we are pretty much aware of each other's feelings and have honed our manners to each other. Where we have to watch out are our manners to the newcomers to our groups.
Understanding their feelings is the first step in making them welcome to the group and making them part of our folk dance family. The best way to understand how they feel is to remember how you felt when visiting for a first time a foreign country. It all seemed very strange. The language was different and in some countries even the signs were unreadable. If you wanted to communicate with the locals, unless you were fluent in their language, it was very difficult.
Welcome the newcomers to our folk dance group because they are strangers in a strange land. The music we play and love sounds very different to their ears. The new steps are difficult to follow and their bodies distort in many ways as they try to follow the dance. They cling for dear life and grab the hands or shoulders of the persons next to them as they try to keep their balance. Not knowing anyone in the group is probably the most uncomfortable thing for them.
So, what are folk dance good manners to the newcomers?
Not much difference from any other good manners. Welcome the new folk dance immigrants. Smile and introduce yourself and any other members of your clique. Find out their names and where they live. Tell them how much you appreciate their joining the group. Tell them the names of the dances and where they come from. Dance next to them and gently help them with the steps.
Most of all, make them comfortable in this new land, so that they start the beautiful folk dance journey on the right foot.
Printed in Folk Dance Scene, "DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET (6), August 2005.